Posthumously named president of Temple University, JoAnne A. Epps, JD, the first black woman in the school’s history to hold this prestigious position, fell ill on stage during a memorial service related to the the institution and was pronounced dead a few hours later, on September 19.
Epps, 72, was scheduled to speak at the memorial service for art curator, historian and author Charles L. Blockson, who curated Blockson’s extensive African-American collection at Temple’s Sullivan Hall.
After slumping in her chair and being carried out of the room, Professor Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, the university’s senior associate dean, resumed the late educator’s speech.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Professor Williams-Witherspoon learned of Epps’ death at Blockson’s memorial service.
At Temple University Hospital, Epps was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m. The Associated Press noted that a doctor described what the education leader suffered as a “sudden episode.”
The cause of death of the late scholar remains unknown. Epps, a graduate of Trinity College and Yale University Law School, worked at Temple for nearly four decades as provost and dean of the law school.
Epps assumed the role of interim president in April at the request of the Temple University Board of Trustees, despite her plans to retire. His arrival in this position came after the resignation of Jason Wingard, the university’s first black president.
Temple University Professor Karen Hersch, Chair of Greek and Roman Classics, spoke from the heart: “We were all shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of our beloved and irreplaceable President Epps. We cry with the entire Temple community.
“Let me share just one example of President Epps’ extraordinary kindness. Last week, out of her busy schedule, she took time to come to our department’s annual welcome party on September 12 for students and faculty.
“No faculty member can recall a president accepting an invitation to one of our events. She could gain neither glory nor prestige from such a visit; she came to spend time with us because she truly cared about every person at Temple.
“President Epps was kind by telling us how much she enjoyed studying Latin and making it a point to learn more about each of us. We will always cherish the memory of President Epps. We will work hard to live up to his example of selflessness and kindness.
Martha A. Davis, associate professor emeritus of Greek and Roman classics at Temple University, recalled: “Before President Epps, not since Peter Liacouras had a leader in Temple’s administration paid much attention to the classics department.
“President Liacouras did not know ancient Greek, but chose to build a nursing home in the Peloponnese because of his heritage and his appreciation of the “Odyssey.”
“He loved stopping by to chat with the recently deceased founder of the Temple department, Daniel P. Tompkins, a prominent Hellenist, and once returned from Greece with T-shirts for classics professors decorated with Homeric slogans.
“I had to decline, for personal reasons, a surprisingly charming invitation to Zeta Beta’s first pizza party of the year, and thus missed an opportunity to meet Temple University President Joanne Epps.
“One of her final contributions to Temple was to bring some order and calm after the chaos and to turn her gaze even to the classics and to the Charles Library, where she was often seen walking among the books and chat with students and librarians.
Professor Emerita Davis concluded: “We should hope for such a blend of law, business and humanities in future administrators! »
Looking back, Judith Peller Hallett, professor of classics and distinguished scholar-teacher emeritus at the University of Maryland, shared a cherished sentiment: “As a longtime Latin teacher who owed my professional calling to my teachers phenomenal Latin students in Cheltenham Township schools – especially the late Marie Hildebrand Bintner – and as a board member of the Cheltenham High School Alumni Association, I was extremely proud of the accomplishments of JoAnn Epps .
“Her seven years of Latin studies had such a profound impact on who she was, what she did, and why she touched the hearts of so many.
“The Latin poet Virgil celebrated the life of Queen Dido, legendary builder of African cities and bringer of justice, observing that she had completed the life journey that fortune had entrusted to her.
Dr. Hallett summed up, “JoAnn’s life journey has been a gift of fortune to us all!
Michael Shechtman remembers: “She was my classmate at Cheltenham and my friend, as well as the dean of my son’s law school. A lioness in winter!
Temple colleague Mary Jane Kirkpatrick recalls, “I knew JoAnne through my work at Temple Ambler. She contributed so much to Temple, to the students there, and to Philadelphia in so many ways.
“She was a force of professionalism and goodness. And a really nice person. Such a loss.
According to the Temple University website, “As dean of Temple Law School, a position she held from July 2008 until her appointment as executive vice president and dean of Temple University in July 2016, Epps was a strong advocate for legal education that emphasized institutional responsiveness. rather than a single educational model.
“National Jurist Magazine named her one of the 25 most influential people in legal education each year from 2013 to 2016, citing her leadership in implementing this approach at Temple.
“His commitment to curricular innovation and experiential legal education has earned Temple significant praise, particularly for its innovative first-year experiential courses and nationally recognized clinical opportunities.
“Epps’ dedication also inspired the creation of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller Center for Social Justice at Temple Law School, which introduces students to the many roles lawyers can play in ensuring access to civil justice.
To provide additional insight through the words of JoAnne A. Epps herself, as dean of Temple University Law School: “If we want to be sure that our time here has meant something, we must ensuring that we have passed the baton to those who follow us. we have a commitment – and a passion – to working for the best possible world.
In recognition of her service to the legal profession, “Epps received the 2015 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association, the 2015 M. Ashley Dickerson Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers, and the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Award for diversity 2014. by the Philadelphia Bar Association.
“She is three times honored by Lawyers of Color magazine as one of the 100 most influential black lawyers in the country.
“In 2009, the Philadelphia Bar Association recognized Epps’ efforts with the Sandra Day O’Connor Award, given annually to “an attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal achievements and promoted the advancement of women.” in the profession and in the community.
As Epps said: “To me, that means inspiring young lawyers to understand the exquisite opportunity our profession offers to serve our world while serving our clients and ourselves. »
Each of President Epps’ diverse activities was grounded in her deep belief that the rule of law is one of the best tools we have for establishing peaceful and just societies and for alleviating human suffering.
So, in honor of the life, love and remarkable achievements of Temple University President JoAnne Epps, JD, in the words of the language she loved and knew so well, “Requiescat In Aeterna Pace.
Mary Brown, president of the Philadelphia Classical Society and executive director of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States, teaches Latin at Saint Joseph’s University.
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